Don't leave me || Xiaoven ff

Chapter 13

Two days had passed since Xiao had last seen Venti.

Even though Liyue was as calm as always, Xiao felt strange, as if something dangerous would happen soon. Ganyu felt the same. She came over and brought some almond tofu a day after Xiao had visited her.
She had told him that the other Adepti were worried too. Cloud Retainer had even visited Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper to discuss what might be going on.

In the mean time, Xiao stayed put and continued protecting Liyue as he should but the more time passed, the bigger got his urge to go and ask Venti for advice.
The bard was the Anemo Archon after all, maybe he knew something.
It's not like I want to see him. It would simply be useful to know what's going on.

Also, when he visited Ganyu, he noticed there were far more Fatui in the city than usual.

Today was the third day after his visit on Starsnatch cliff and Xiao finally decided to go and look for Venti.
The ceremony for Rex Lapis would be soon and he wanted to solve whatever problem was coming as quick as possible.

However, everything did not go quite as planned.

When Xiao left Wangshu, the sky was clear, barely a cloud to be seen. Birds were chirping, much to his annoyance, and many people were entering and leaving the inn. No one seemed to be troubled by anything, still there was this unnerving sensation of danger.
I gotta find out what's going on.
So he left the inn and made his way to Mondstadt.
The way there was quite long but Xiao was in a hurry and didn't stop for any monsters so it only took about two hours for him to get there.

A little nervous, he looked around the city but couldn't find any sign of the bard.
Should i enter the city? Would the guards even let me in?
Walking across the bridge to Mondstadt, Xiao started questioning whether it was a good idea coming here or not.

Thankfully, the two guards in front of the city gate didn't stop him. They looked a bit suspicious about him but didn't say anything.

Inside of the city were many people. The houses looked different to those in Liyue, every single one a little unique in its own way. It was the city of freedom after all.

The Yaksha walked through streets, hoping to find the bard. He had never been here and didn't know where to look or how to get there.
After a while of searching, he decided to just ask a local. So he walked towards a girl that seemed to be selling flowers.
"Uhm excuse me... do you happen to know a bard in green...? His name is Venti"
The girl looked at Xiao in confusion before answering "Of course i do. Who doesn't know Venti?"
"Ehh do you know where he currently is?"
"He is usually at the great Barbatos statue. If you don't find him there, you could go look at the Angles Share. That's the tavern over there"
She pointed at a house down the street.
"Oh, thanks..." Xiao mumbled and walked up the stairs towards the gigantic statue in front of the cathedral.

Why is the way up so long?
Finally taking the last few steps, Xiao was almost out of breath.
Who built that many stairs?!
He looked over the place. No Venti. There were some people standing at the railing, looking down at Mondstadt but the bard was nowhere to be seen.
Maybe over there?
Xiao walked across the place to the other side but stopped as he noticed something green above him.
It was Venti, sitting on top of the statue, his cloak waving in the wind.
He didn't seem to notice Xiao so the Yaksha teleported up behind him.

"Xiao! Come and sit down" Venti suddenly said.
So he did notice me.
"What are you doing here?" Xiao asked, sitting down in the hands of the statue next to Venti.
The bard smiled. "Listening to the birds and the wind, enjoying the sunshine... i don't know, what are you doing here?" he replied.

"I want to know what's going on."
"What?"
"Something is happening in Liyue. I can feel it. All the Adept can feel it. But we don't know what it is. It almost feels like... something is awakening."
Venti hesitated. "Do you have any clues what it might be?" Xiao continued.
The bard sighed. "I might be able to know what's going on if i still had my gnosis... I'm sorry, i think i can't help you."

Xiao sighed too.
Going all this way for nothing.
But it wasn't nothing. Now that he was here, with Venti, he felt light.
This weird feeling again.
"Venti"
"Yes?"
"I'm scared."
Venti stayed quiet. "Why?"
The Yaksha looked down at the city. "What if it happens again? What if i cannot protect everyone? What if they- die..."
Xiao didn't feel that insecure since Morax had saved him back then. He felt as if he couldn't hide everything anymore.

Suddenly, Venti hugged him.
"It's okay to be scared. If i would sense something like that around Mondstadt, I'd be too."
Xiao didn't know what to do. It felt so good to have Ventis arms wrapped around him. To feel his warmth.
As Venti let go of him, the Yaksha could hardly resist holding on to him.

"I think I'll go back to Liyue."
I don't want to.
"Are you sure you don't wanna stay here for a while?"
I do want to stay.
"I have to get back."
"Hm alright then."
Xiao stood up. "Just be careful and... come here if you need help with anything" Venti said.
"I will."
"Take care."

Before Xiao could leave, Venti jumped up and hugged him again.
"Remember, you don't have to do everything by yourself" he mumbled.
Xiao nodded. He slightly hugged back. "I'll remember it"

The Yaksha let go. Ventis face was a bit red and Xiaos heart was beating faster.
Now in a hurry, he turned away and teleported out of sight.

Venti sighed.
I think i like him.
He thought about it.
I think i really like him... shit what now.
He hated thinking.

Never mind, I guess i can ask Kaeya later at the tavern.

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Nice, more than 1000 words this time